DON'T BE A MOCKER

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.

Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

Proverbs 14:6, 19:25, 19:29, 21:11, 21:24, 22:10  

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Are you a mocker?

It’s a question we would rarely hear anyone ask but as we can see from our scripture verses from the Proverbs, it’s one we need to consider.

Perhaps the reason why we rarely use the word is that we don’t understand its meaning. We would probably identify a mocker as someone who sarcastically mimics another’s voice or mannerism. In other words, a person behaving in a mocking fashion. But as we look at the following proverb (Proverbs 21:24) through various translations, we see that the Bible defines a mocker differently:

The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury. (NIV)

The proud, haughty person, named “Scoffer,” acts with arrogant pride. (NRSV)

Incredibly proud—mockers are their name! Their conduct involves excessive pride. (CEB)

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. (ESV)

Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. (NLT)

The name “mocker” applies to one who is proud and pompous because he is defiantly arrogant. (The Voice)

So with all this, are you or have you been a mocker in the past?

I know I am guilty and so this scripture is really important for me. Any behavior that displays excessive pride or arrogance or insolence or disrespect or scoffing toward another is sin, plain and simple, and will not be favored or honored by the Lord. Rather, one who decides to adopt these behaviors will find themselves squarely in the sights of the Lord’s judgment. Look at the other proverbs and what a mocker can expect:

1. Ignorance.

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Proverbs 14:6

A person who is proud and arrogant carries themselves around like they are superior to everyone else. They are in love with everything about themselves to include their intellect. And so wisdom will not come to them when they seek it because they lack the humility to accept direction from an outside source and admit that they need help in order to live life.

2. Judgment.

Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools. Proverbs 19:29

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. Proverbs 19:25

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. Proverbs 21:11

The word of the Lord is clear. Those who choose to be mockers, exhibiting the character traits defined through the scriptures, will be punished. They’ll be punished because they refuse to self correct their sinfulness and they’ll be punished to serve as an example for anyone else who might consider modeling their transgressive behavior. The Lord is always trying to make a positive out of a negative. If you can’t change the prideful, at least you may be able to keep another person from being prideful themselves.

3. Exile.

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. Proverbs 22:10

Perhaps this is the worst consequence of all, being banished from social interaction with others. Frankly, the only people who enjoy the company of the arrogant are other arrogant people. All the others come to learn that if you shun the arrogant and prideful, peace ensues. Strife is absent and quarrels and insults cease. If you’re being pushed to the fringes of any group you’re associated with, including your family, you may want to examine your attitude and see if it is the reason behind why you’re treated the way you are.

Friends, this word of God applies to all of us. We all fail and fall when it comes to pride or arrogant behaviors and attitudes. With this, hear the message that the Lord sends today and hear it loud and clear.

Don’t be a mocker.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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